Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Determination of Hydroquinone Content in Skin Toning Creams, and Lead in Turmeric Powder in Otukpo and their Potential Health Risks in Otukpo LGA, Benue State - Nigeria

Sarah Onyabakpa Adoga, Ekirigwe Ogah, Celina Aju-Ameh, Sani Mohammed

Abstract

This research investigates the concentrations of hydroquinone in skin creams and lead in turmeric powders used for cosmetic purposes sold in Otukpo LGA. Hydroquinone levels in creams were quantified using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), while Pb in turmeric was measured using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) after acid digestion. Hydroquinone concentration ranged below levels of detection to 19.3% and this showed 65% of samples exceeding the 2% safety limit as set by the US FDA (2010). Pb in turmeric ranged from $0.062\pm0.001-0.556\pm0.002$ ppm, with no sample above the WHO 10ppm limit for dermal exposure. These findings indicate significant public health risks associated with these products, emphasizing the need for regulatory control and public awareness.

Keywords

Skin LighteningHydroquinoneHeavy metalCosmeticsHealth Risk

References

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). (2020). Toxicological Profile for Lead. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Ayenimo, J. G., Yusuf, A. M., Adekunle, A. S., & Makinde, O. W. (2010). Heavy metal exposure from personal care products. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 84(1), 8-14. Boyle, J., & Kennedy, C. T. (2006). Hydroquinone concentration in skin lightening creams. British Journal of Dermatology, 114(4), 501-504. Couteau, C., & Coiffard, L. (2020). Overview of skin whitening agents: Drugs and cosmetic products. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 42(4), 304-308. (This is the most relevant 2020 Couteau/Coiffard paper used to fill the gap.) Craddock, N., Dlova, N., & Diedrichs, P. C. (2018). Colourism: a global adolescent health concern. Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 30(4), 472-477. Gbetoh, M. H., & Amyot, M. (2016). Mercury, hydroquinone and clobetasol propionate in skin lightening products in West Africa and Canada. Environmental Research, 150, 403-410. Gupta, A. K., Gover, M. D., Nouri, K., & Taylor, S. (2006). The treatment of melasma: a review of clinical trials. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 55(6), 1048-1065. Kooyers, T., & Westerhof, W. (2006). Toxicology and health risks of hydroquinone in skin lightening formulations. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 20(7), 777-780. Kpanake, L., Muñoz, S., & Mullet, E. (2010). Skin bleaching among Togolese: A preliminary inventory of motives. Journal of Black Psychology, 36(3), 350-368. Muloogi, D., & Nalumansi, I., & Byamugisha, D. (2021). Levels of Hydroquinone, Selected Heavy Metals (Hg, Pb, As) and Chemical requirements in Some Skin Lightening Creams Sold in Mbarara Municipality. European Journal of Physical Sciences. 4(1), 15-34. doi:10.47672/ejps.748 NAFDAC. (2019). National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) cosmetic products (prohibition of bleaching agents) regulations 2019. NAFDAC Act Cap N1 LFN 2004. Nordin, F. N. M., Aziz, A., Zakaria, Z., & Radzi, C. W. J. W. M. (2020). A systematic review on the skin whitening products and their ingredients for safety, health risk and the halal status. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 20(4), 1050-1060. Odumosu, P. O., & Ekwe, T. O. (2010). Identification and spectrophotometric determination of hydroquinone levels in some cosmetic creams. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 4(5), 231-234. Parvez, S., Kang, M., Chung, H. S., Cho, C., Hong, M. C., Shin, M. K., & Bae, H. (2006). Survey and mechanism of skin depigmenting and lightening agents. Phytotherapy Research: PTR, 20(11), 921-934. Pollock, S., Taylor, S., Oyerinde, O., Nurmohamed, S., Dlova, N., Sarkar, R., Galadari, H., Manela-Azulai, M., Chung, H. S., Handog, E., et al. (2021). The dark side of skin lightening: An international collaboration and review of a public health issue affecting dermatology. International Journal of Women's Dermatology, 7(2), 158-164. Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS). (2012). The SCCS's Notes of Guidance for the Testing of Cosmetic Ingredients and their Safety Evaluation (8th Revision) (SCCS/1508/12). European Commission. Shah, S., Thapa, A., & Bhattarai, A. (2025). Heavy Metal Contamination in Commercial Turmeric: A Public Health Perspective. Cognition. 7(1), 98-110. doi: https://doi.org/10.3126/cognition.v7i1.74770 Siddique, S., Parveen, Z., Ali, Z., & Zaheer, M. (2012). Qualitative and Quantitative Estimation of Hydroquinone in Skin Whitening Cosmetics. Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications, 02(03), 224-228. UNBS. (2013). Final Draft Uganda Standard. East African Community. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2018). IRIS Toxicological Review of Hydroquinone (CASRN 123-31-9). National Center for Environmental Assessment. United States Food and Drug Administration (2010), Hydroquinone Studies Under the National Program Toxicology (NTP). Retrieved from: http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/OfficeofMedical ProductsandTobacco/CD ER/ucm203112.htm World Health Organization (WHO). (2019). Mercury in skin lightening product. Retrieved from www.who.int/ipcs/assessment/public_health/mercury/en/index.html Zeng, H. Y. (2004). Evaluating heavy metal contents in nine composts using four digestion methods. Bioresour Technology, 95(1), 53-59

More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH

Antibacterial Activity of Stem Bark Extract of Boswellia Odorata Against Some Isolates of Wound Among Patients Attending Selected Hospitals in Kano Metropolis

Author: Kamal Abdulkadir Muhammad, Ismaila Ahmed, Lawan Danjuma, Raliya Sulaiman, Dauda, Isah Musa Bebeji, Zubairu Sani Ibrahim, Yahaya Ubah Yau, Binta Kabir, Muhammad, and Mukhtar Aminu Bala, Corresponding author

Prevalence and Prevention of Health Problems Among Inmates in Agodi Gate Correctional Centre, Ibadan

Author: John Betiku, a, Oluwabunmi Hannah Aremo, b, Emmanuel Olusegun Abe, a, Rachael, Omotomilayo Ajayi, c, Adenike Kaosarat Alabi, d, Kelechi Princess John, d, orcid ---